Women, Law, and Representation in Politics
👩⚖️ Despite progress, women still face discrimination in property rights, work, and political representation. This section covers key legal reforms, current representation, and the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, plus practical steps to strengthen equality.
⚖️ Equal Inheritance🗳️ Political Participation🏛️ Reservations
📜 Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 — What changed?
| Area | Earlier Discrimination | Now (after 2005) |
|---|---|---|
| 👨👩👧 Inheritance from father | Sons had superior coparcenary rights; daughters often excluded. | Daughters have equal coparcenary rights and share as sons. |
| 👩 Mother’s property | Ambiguities & unequal practices in succession. | Daughters can inherit mother’s property on equal footing. |
🎯 Goal: Remove gender bias in succession; strengthen women’s economic independence.
📈 Representation of Women in Indian Politics (as per your notes)
🏛️ Lok Sabha
Women ≈ 14.44% (17th Lok Sabha, IPU data).
🗳️ Parliament
Women ≈ 10.5% of MPs (ECI, Oct 2021).
🏞️ State Assemblies
Average female MLAs ≈ 9%.
🏘️ Local Bodies
≥ 1/3 seats reserved → 10+ lakh elected women (Panchayats & Municipalities).
🗳️ Note: Female voter turnout is rising, but candidacy and seat share still lag.
👩🎤 Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023 — At a Glance
| Provision | What it Means | Where it Applies |
|---|---|---|
| 🧩 Article 330A | Reserves 1/3 seats for women in Lok Sabha; rotation across constituencies. | Lok Sabha (including within SC/ST reserved seats). |
| 🧩 Article 332A | 1/3 seats for women in every State Legislative Assembly; includes 1/3 of SC/ST reserved seats. | All State Assemblies & NCT of Delhi Assembly. |
| ⏱️ Article 334A | Kicks in after the next census is published and delimitation is completed; 15-year term (extendable by law). | Lok Sabha & State Assemblies. |
🔁 Rotation: Seats reserved for women will rotate post-delimitation as decided by Parliament’s law.
🛡️ Short Answers
Q1. Give two ways to prevent women’s exploitation.
- 🧾 Enforce laws: Strictly implement Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, and property rights under HSA 2005.
- 🎓 Educate & empower: Legal literacy, financial inclusion, and girls’ secondary/college education; promote women’s SHGs & skill training.
Q2. Offer ways to increase women’s social status in Indian democracy.
- 🗳️ Political representation: Implement 1/3 reservation in LS/Assemblies; ensure party tickets for women (winnable seats).
- 💰 Economic independence: Equal pay audits, safe workplaces, childcare support, credit for women entrepreneurs.
- 🏫 Education & health: Scholarships/STEM push; maternal health & nutrition; campaigns against early marriage.
- 🧠 Change mindsets: Media & school curricula to challenge stereotypes; community programmes for men & boys.
🧠 Exam Quick Notes
- ✅ HSA 2005 → daughters = sons in inheritance; includes mother’s property.
- ✅ Local bodies already reserve ≥ 1/3 seats for women; millions of elected women leaders.
- ✅ Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 → 1/3 seats in LS & State Assemblies; effective post-census & delimitation; 15-year term; rotation.
📝 Try These
- Explain how the HSA 2005 changed women’s inheritance rights with one example.
- Why has rising female voter turnout not led to proportionate representation? Suggest two remedies.
- Write short notes on Articles 330A, 332A, and 334A.
- Mention any three measures (legal, social, economic) to raise women’s status in democracy.